Tom Franks

Water governance and poverty: a framework for analysis

This paper engages with policy on meeting development goals for water through interventions, which promote good governance. Addressing an under-researched area, we propose a new analytical framework for understanding water governance, not as a set of abstract principles, but as interlinked processes with variable practical outcomes for poor people. The framework is informed by theories of governance, institutions and structuration, empirical research and field insights. We apply the framework to a case in south-western Tanzania, and we identify a range of issues for further research, particularly relating to water access for the poor.

Capacity building and institutional development: reflections on water

The article reviews ideas about capacity building which have been articulated for the water sector, looking both at its essential elements and at practical approaches. Capacity is contrasted with capability, and the article goes on to look at three components of capacity building—increasing capability, the enabling environment and institutional development. Examples from the water sector are given to illustrate the points. The article concludes that these components are indeed important contributions to capacity building, but their relative importance will vary from one situation to another. In particular, institutional development must not always be accepted uncritically as a necessary part of capacity building. Copyright

The Sustainable Coexistence of Wetlands and Rice Irrigation: A Case Study from Tanzania:

An existing United Kingdom–funded water project, located in the Usangu Plains of Tanzania, aims to understand the causes for dry season zero flows in the previously perennially flowing Great Ruaha River, which drains from the Usangu wetland. Studies reveal that the common explanation of competition for water between wetlands and irrigation alone is insufficient to explain reduced flows. Instead, complex biological and hydrological processes influence the allocation of water between wetlands and irrigation. This article outlines these processes and proposes some hypotheses: (a) Certain types of rice irrigation development may not be detrimental to the Usangu wetlands; (b) the sustainability of rice irrigation and wetlands can be supported by recognizing their dynamic nature; (c) the concept of efficiency of irrigation in areas with a semiarid climate should be treated with caution. The studies will assist in the sustainable management of water for both environmental and developmental needs.

Institutions, Security, and Pastoralism: Exploring the Limits of Hybridity

This article furthers our understanding of how state and citizens interact to produce local institutions and examines the effects of these processes. It brings critical institutional theory into engagement with ideas about everyday governance to analyze how hybrid arrangements are formed through bricolage. Such a perspective helps us to understand governance arrangements as both negotiated and structured, benefiting some and disadvantaging others. To explore these points the article tracks the evolution of the Sungusungu, a hybrid pastoralist security institution in the Usangu Plains, Tanzania. It also considers the wider implications of such hybrid arrangements for livelihoods, social inclusion, distributive justice, and citizenship. Cet article approfondit notre perception de la manière dont l’état et les citoyens interagissent lors de la création d’institutions locales et il examine également les conséquences de ces interactions. Nous instituons un dialogue entre la critique théorique institutionnelle et les idées sur la gouvernance au quotidien pour analyser de quelle manière les arrangements hybrides se forment. Une telle perspective de “bricolage institutionnel” se base sur des arrangements de gouvernance juxtaposant négociation et structure, au profit des uns et au désavantage des autres. Afin d’explorer ces idées, cet article retrace l’évolution de Sungusungu, une institution de gouvernance hybride pastorale dans les plaines de l’Usangu, en Tanzanie. Nous considérons également les implications au sens large de tels arrangements sur les phénomènes de subsistance, d’inclusion sociale, de justice distributive, et de citoyenneté.

ASR FORUM: ENGAGING WITH AFRICAN INFORMAL ECONOMIES

Abstract: This article furthers our understanding of how state and citizens interact to produce local institutions and examines the effects of these processes. It brings critical institutional theory into engagement with ideas about everyday governance to analyze how hybrid arrangements are formed through bricolage. Such a perspective helps us to understand governance arrangements as both negotiated and structured, benefiting some and disadvantaging others. To explore these points the article tracks the evolution of the Sungusungu, a hybrid pastoralist security institution in the Usangu Plains, Tanzania. It also considers the wider implications of such hybrid arrangements for livelihoods, social inclusion, distributive justice, and citizenship. Résumé: Cet article approfondit notre perception de la manière dont l’état et les citoyens interagissent lors de la création d’institutions locales et il examine également les conséquences de ces interactions. Nous instituons un dialogue entre la critique théorique institutionnelle et les idées sur la gouvernance au quotidien pour analyser de quelle manière les arrangements hybrides se forment. Une telle perspective de “bricolage institutionnel” se base sur des arrangements de gouvernance juxtaposant négociation et structure, au profit des uns et au désavantage des autres. Afin d’explorer ces idées, cet article retrace l’évolution de Sungusungu, une institution de gouvernance hybride pastorale dans les plaines de l’Usangu, en Tanzanie. Nous considérons également les implications au sens large de tels arrangements sur les phénomènes de subsistance, d’inclusion sociale, de justice distributive, et de citoyenneté.

Developing procedures for the sustainable use of mangrove systems

The concept of integrated water management forms the background to a research project carried out in India and Malaysia. The project involves the development of numerical models to improve understanding of processes in mangrove systems, and related socio-economic investigations to analyse the interests and decision-making of stakeholders in mangroves systems. The paper summarises some of the conclusions arising from the research, including the continuing need for improved technical understanding of mangroves and its incorporation in participatory decision-making.

People, livelihoods and decision making in catchment management: a case study from Tanzania

This paper illustrates the complexity of catchment water management and the importance of understanding the context of economic, political and cultural aspects of livelihoods in a catchment. Issues highlighted include the need for institutions which cross resource boundaries, ways of including those stakeholders usually excluded from decision-making processes, and the importance of livelihood constraints on peoples participation in resource management.

Water governance and river basin management: comparative experiences from Nigeria and Tanzania

The paper compares and contrasts approaches to river basin management in Nigeria and Tanzania. Working from a water governance perspective, the paper discusses the resource base in each catchment, looking separately at both material (physical) and non-material (infrastructural) resources. It then goes on to describe how these resources are drawn on to develop mechanisms for water governance and basin management. Significant changes have taken place in both basins over the recent past and are still continuing. The paper analyses these changes in terms of outcomes for the people in the basins and for ecosystems.

Regeneration and well‐being: research into practice

Purpose – This article aims to introduce the special issue which arose from a conference about urban regeneration in post industrial cities hosted at Bradford University in 2008. The event focused on the sustainable and intangible aspects of individual and community well‐being.Design/methodology/approach – The article discusses the background to urban regeneration and introduces the papers in the issue.Findings – The papers investigate and understand how policies, programmes and projects can increase well‐being in the built environment, and what this means for those involved. Specifically the papers address key features of well‐being in terms of the economics of regeneration, participation, sustainability, social enterprise, migration, partnership, management, and the importance of place and space.Originality/value – The article focuses on the papers of the special issue that encourage pragmatic and workable solutions based on sound theory and practice.

Managing sustainable development: Abdul Karim's dilemma

The paper explores the needs for sustainable management, comparing the problems facing managers at the local level with those facing governments at the national level. These problems are seen to be underlain by three key dimensions: understanding natural resource processes, the ability to work with people and institutions, and appropriate managerial skills. They require an integrated multi-disciplinary approach which links all the dimensions if they are to be successfully overcome. The final part of the paper suggests some aspects of each of these three dimensions which require investigation and further work, including data and information requirements, common property management, government/NGO relationships, recurrent funding, incorporation of planning concerns into management approaches and the definition of training methods which address the specific managerial problems.